Media companies are increasingly considering the viewers as participators, which makes the question of the participations democratic function relevant. This thesis shows that audience participation in studio debates cannot be rejected as a means of popular journalism.

In the audience discussion program Landstinget, TV 2 brought politicians, and other persons with influence, to meet with people in different areas of the country. It is the audience who decides the issues to be debated in Landstinget, while the host has influence on the form of the debate and of the argumentation. Landstinget was broadcasted for two seasons, in a period from 16.04.08 to 26.11.08.

The main strength of the audience participation in Landstinget is that it brings up a variety of themes and points of view. The audience that is participating in Landstinget, asks questions about issues on their mind. These issues are far from always the same issues that are on the media agenda. Even though Landstinget provides short time to discuss each issue debated, it could contribute to creating political involvement, and thereby doing the public sphere more democratic. Weather the audience participation has a positive democratic effect, depends on the hosts directing and producing, and the abilities of each audience participator. To let the people meet politicians in mediatized debate may lead to new knowledge, knowledge of complex issues, and of consequences for the individual, for politicians, participators and viewers.